### <center>Every Zebra has unique stripes.  Like fingerprints!</center>

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmak4k3RhXGVLxh6Zf8H5xE7agKwAYGbQnCYN16EuGALzG/how%20to%20be%20unique.png</center><br>
> <center>“You were born an original. Don't die a copy” - John Mason</center>


Do you feel lost in the crowd sometimes? Does that give you a feeling of comfort? Feel like you need to be one of the flock and feel the urge to follow?   

Most of the times, such a desire to be 'one of the flock' is  due to peer pressure and the fear of standing out.  Perhaps it is some phobia of attention that it attracts.  

It is understandable that not every person has the courage or desire to be a personality that is 'poles apart' from everyone around.   No one wan't to be considered a 'eccentric' without good reason.   Is it possible to be part of a crowd and still be different?  Can an individual identity be maintained in a society of peers?   As I looked at this herd of Zebras, I remembered that it was possible to identify each individual zebra just by it's stripes.   

What they showed in Madagascar 2 (about another zebra  being exactly like Marty)  is not actually accurate.

However, more about that later.  First, let us take a moment to look at the zebra herd…   Here are the images, which I captured on my Olympus M10.  Hope I had my Nikon P900 but I did not have it with me that day.

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https://steemitimages.com/DQmQENtVJXz13mfpkZiR6jD6JHvWRqxcRxYt141Z6rzzswd/showing%20our%20stripes_1024x768.jpg

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<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmfMR42UsH7NdEhqpAsB79K1L7JkKvXoso6o8emph6a5VG/zebra_1024x768.jpg</center>
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Like the zebras,  if we wish to show our own stripes then what do we need to do?    First, let us talk about what are our 'stripes'

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<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmQxFRQnm8MSqjBLpZWYN66cNHy1jDC8KDq5XFybkGMgqL/image.png</center>
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Stripes, to many of us,  mean the insignia worn by uniformed personnel to denote their rank.  Unfortunately, these type of stripes do not really signify individuality, though they do signify a certain amount of power and hierarchy that goes with it.

<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaCySN1FykecfJLPv6Q4BnaW6Szh7Y5hDE8eueQv8fVu6/image.png)</center>

In the context of individuality,  I look at stripes as the characteristics that we develop in ourselves.  No one 'gives' us our stripes like they do in the military.  We make our own stripes.  Like military though,  we do have to earn our own stripes.  We have to take pains to develop our individuality.

Here are a few simple steps we can adopt to develop our own brand of stripes...

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<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmRfzePE3Jur7umt4ZUHu85unajqeJ1kQrYPaY738DxemP/image.png</center>
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Recognize yourself!  Know that you are  already unique.   No one in this world is exactly like the other.  Even your reflection in the mirror is not exactly like yourself.   It is actually a 'mirror image'.   Consider it -  when you lift your 'right' hand, the mirror reflection actually lifts the 'left hand'.  It is not really you!!
 
When you look in the mirror, try looking at what you want to see in yourself,  rather than what the mirror shows you!

<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfZuSa2X6ZYXjse33SgnrX6XgVTNE3Uj6MdiYNZEQMPuf/image.png)</center>

Knowing that you are different already and accepting your individual personality is the first step to being unique.  If you do not accept what you are,  how can you expect to be confident about yourself?
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<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmY3JY9PcULw3rBWr1PCmP5fgXuKbmUG5rH6Bsf1mibev9/image.png</center>
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 Resist the urge to be like 'everyone else' because it is either trendy/  fashionable or because it is just plain damned easy.  Being a bit off-beat takes some effort but believe me,  people remember you and admire you for what you are.
 
<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmb4RDsAYjbKZr3nfw1Lb2xrSTYuWaDZypDfXF7UgHgdRe/image.png)</center>

Notice that red gummy bear in a crowd of colorless ones?  Which gummy bear do you think you will remember when you remember gummy bears again?  The red one -  right?

Let what you like and feel passionate about  become your 'style'.  That is what being yourself is - not wearing high heals or Armani suits. 

While we are on the subject of style and clothing - don't forget to wear your attitude.  Your attitude, as much as the clothes you wear or even more - marks you as an individual.   Attitude  has unfortunately been almost turned in to a bad word - something you should not have as per many people's opinion.  However,  remember - there is bad attitude but there is also good attitude.  A positive attitude is what we are talking about wearing.

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<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmXYh5dUSgJbbPsCNsD3fuz5NxxMGryMJas5D3ijWANAph/image.png</center>
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 Do not be a conformist.   Do not 'float with the flow'.  Stand up for what you believe is right.  Do not think that every argument is a conflict.   Logical arguments have been the norm from days of Romans.  Just because you express a contrarian viewpoint does not mean that you are getting in a conflict.   It is possible to play a chess game, attack the opposition in a very gentlemanly manner for a shot at winning.  Nothing wrong with that!
 
<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeMf8ziuTZhiFSrg3DAqmp3sk9LAw3ujH6X38ftSAxqhr/image.png)</center>

At the end of any argument,  people take home the impression about how logically and passionately you argued your position.  If you happen to win the argument,  people go home with a bit of a bruised ego but they surely will admire your taking a stand.

Your personality and uniqueness gets built around countless small acts of friendship as well as many different types of conflicts.   Friendships give a positive feeling so, it is easy to start agreeing with everything your friend says  - you may become a yes man/woman that never hurts your friend.    In the process, you have 'floated with the flow' and lost the edge of your own personality.   Therefore,  I am emphasizing the arguments more and not the friendships.  You do not want to be that guy/gal everyone smiles pleasantly at but forgets in a few minutes !


### <center>In conclusion:</center>
### <center>Don't be like Marty the Zebra in Madagascar who says "My life is half over. And I don't even know if I'm black with white stripes or white with black stripes."  Earn your stripes, know your stripes and wear them proudly</center>

<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTT14zfzcKA6b7x3YyThFS9VcTTuwb9a1QsiRjss8zuL5/image.png)</center>
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### <center>Steemians,  please share your experiences and views on the subject. It will be great to get more perspective and a lively dialogue going. Thanks</center>

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[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcN8QG3D9k6Gxr1m5nMy7ooLSnE46W3TBRkjodPWagYbG/image.png)](https://steemit.com/@vm2904)

Note: All images except for the wildlife photos and the title image created by me are from [pixabay.com](https://pixabay.com/)